Page 85 of Reclaimed

“Isla, you can lie down. Daddy, feel free to take a seat or you can stand beside her, whichever you prefer.”

At the worddaddy, Aiden’s fingers contract around mine, almost involuntarily. “Where do you want me?”

I lick my lips. “Standing. Please.”

“I’m just going to tuck this towel into the band of your skirt to protect it, and if you could roll your shirt up above your stomach, yes like that.” The tech issues instructions and gets straight to work. The goo she squirts on my stomach is warm, yet I shiver. She picks up the wand, and I twist my neck the other direction.

“I’m scared,” I whisper urgently to Aiden. My heart feels like it’s going to pump straight out of my chest. His eyes meet mine, those beautiful blue irises shimmering in the dark. I can’t help but stare and some of my distress eases.

“Hold my hand, starshine.” His grip tightens around mine. “Don’t let go.”

“Will you watch?”

“I’ll tell you when to look.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. Strong fingers slip through my hair, combing through the strands. The rhythmic tug is soothing to my nerves.

“Ready?” the tech asks.

“Go ahead,” Aiden instructs. Unwavering attention follows the tech moving the wand to my skin. The second I feel the cool instrument touch, he reverts his gaze back to the screen.

“Whoa,” he says quietly. “That’s so cool.”

“What is it?” I whisper urgently.

Keeping his hands where they are—one on my head and the other gripping mine—he crouches at my side.

“I can see the baby.” His voice is filled with awe. “It actually looks like a baby.”

“Is it… is it moving?”

In the bright glow of the machine, I can easily see the glisten in his eyes. He sniffs and clears his throat. “Take a look for yourself, starshine.”

The gentle prod is all I need for confirmation. Aiden wouldn’t tell me to look if it wasn’t safe for me to do so. The trust I feel for him in this moment is immense and all-consuming. I just catch him brush a brief knuckle under his eye before I turn my head in the other direction.

At the image of my baby on the screen, my breath catches.

“Here’s baby’s fingers.” The tech moves the wand and a full hand comes into view. “All ten fingers and toes.”

The machine clicks and beeps at my side, but I’m no longer paying attention to her. I’m enthralled at my sweet baby rolling and waving on the screen.

“Did it just hiccup?” I ask excitedly as the image gives a little bounce.

“It did,” she confirms. “And this here is the baby’s heart.”

A hole in the middle of the chest flickers on the screen. The tech turns some dials, and then a galloping, whooshing sound fills the room. I’ve heard it once before at my fourteen-week ultrasound, but it feels louder now. Stronger somehow. Even more real than before.

“Nice strong heartbeat,” the tech announces.

I grip Aiden’s hand impossibly tighter. “Did you hear that? Our baby has a strong heartbeat.”

“I did,” his voice is gruff. And it hits me then. I saidourbaby.I’m acting,I tell myself. It’s for the technician’s benefit. Deep down inside, I know with how blurry the line has become, it’s a lie.

“Do you want to know the gender?” The moment is broken by her question. More goo is added to my skin, and she spreads it around with the wand.

“Yes. Please.”

“Let’s see if this little one cooperates.”

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